Trade talks involving Dion Phaneuf are apparently a thing of the past, as the Ottawa Senators now plan to keep the veteran defender in the fold, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Phaneuf's name has been popular in the rumor mill in recent weeks, beginning prior to the expansion draft when the Senators approached him about waiving his no-movement clause.

But when Phaneuf rebuffed the request - not willing to run the risk of getting claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights - the Senators then explored moving him elsewhere, as his contract permits a trade to 12 teams of his choosing.

Dealing Phaneuf would have also allowed the Senators to protect fellow blue-liner Marc Methot from Vegas. But, unable to deal Phaneuf in the days that followed, the Senators were forced to expose Methot, who was claimed by the Golden Knights and later flipped to the Dallas Stars.

Despite the loss of Methot, the Senators continued trade discussions involving Phaneuf at the entry draft, but when the event wrapped Saturday, Phaneuf was still a member of the Senators. And it now appears he'll be sticking around in Ottawa, at least according to Dreger.

Phaneuf appeared in 81 games with the Senators last season, registering nine goals and 21 assists.

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